Selenium dose timing

[Fizzyinch]

when is the best time to take Selenium?

I have read (in Root Cause) that it's best taken on an empty stomach in the morning, so used to take just before breakfast, but then I saw recently that it is best taken in the afternoon as needs to be taken far away from levothyroxine. Does it have any interactions with levo and any other supplements that you are aware of?

[greygoose]

Levo should be taken on an empty stomach at least two hours away from all supplements/medication - four hours for iron, calcium, vit D, magnesium, oestrogen and PPIs - for maximum absorption. Taking these things with your levo won't give any interactions that will be noticable at the time, but will compromise absorption of the thyroid hormone.

If you want to take your selenium in the morning, you could take your levo at night, 2 to 3 hours after your last meal.

[Fizzyinch in reply to greygoose]

Thanks. So, does any know if Selenium is best taken on empty stomach and if it should be away from other supplements? Finding it hard to find time in the day to support various supplements/ meds! (i'm taking iron).

[greygoose in reply to Fizzyinch]

I'm afraid I don't know about that, no. Sorry.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Fizzyinch

Like most things you will find conflicting advice on the internet.

I once read - vitamins in the morning, minerals in the evening.

I've read that you can take selenium with or without food. On an empty stomach as long as it doesn't cause you any upset, if it does then take it with food.

I haven't read that it needs to be taken away from other supplements other than iron - iron must be taken at least 2 hours away from everything as it can affect their absorption.

Or you could buy Brazil nuts that have been grown in selenium rich soil and get your dose that way.

Providing, of course that the nuts contain selenium and they have to have been grown in selenium rich soil to contain any. Then it depends in which area the nuts were grown in because the amount of selenium in soil varies. Eastern Amazon and Central Brazil have the highest amounts:

honey-guide.com/2012/11/19/...

The packaging needs to say "Grown in selenium rich soil" and preferably the area and possibly the amount of selenium.

Members have kindly given me the following information about Brazil nuts containing a declared amount of selenium available from well known shops/supermarkets here in the UK so if yours doesn't give this information you might want to check out the following:

Sainsburys SO organic brazil nuts contain 50mcg selenium per 30g serving of nuts

sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro...

and their Fairtrade ones have 75mcg selenium per 30g serving

sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/pro...

One member has said that M&S Natural Brazil Nuts say "harvested by hand in the Amazon forest and naturally high in selenium". You would have to check the nutritional information on the pack to see if it says exactly how much selenium per xxg of Brazil nuts.

Also, check out Aldi's "The Foodie Market" Brazil nuts, the packaging is said to show selenium content as 79mcg per 30g serving.

Another one is 'My Garden of Eden' Brazil nuts from Home Bargains.. They say "High in Selenium and high in vitamin E" on the front of the packet and the Nutritional Information says "one serving (25g) gives 63ug of Selenium".

More recently I've been made aware of Morrisons Market St brand which states 254mcg per 100g or 101.6mg per recommended 40g portion.

Also Waitrose Duchy Organic Brazil Nuts which they claim contain a rather startling 479mcg selenium in a 25mcg serving although that does seem to be out of proportion when looking at the others and I wonder if it's a mistake and should be 47.9mcg selenium in a 25mcg serving:

waitrose.com/ecom/products/...